News Release: Groundbreaking Marks First Park Expansion in 20 Years
Published on September 07, 2023
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2023
City of Palo Alto Groundbreaking Marks First Park Expansion in 20 Years
City Officials Launch $4.2 Million Boulware Park Upgrade and Expansion with Sustainable Features Set for Completion Fall 2024
PALO ALTO, CALIF. – The City of Palo Alto broke ground today on a $4.2 million renovation and expansion of Boulware Park, which is set for completion in fall 2024 and marks the first park expansion in 20 years.
“We’re so excited to finally begin construction on this major park upgrade in the Ventura neighborhood, which furthers our priority on community health and safety,” said Mayor Lydia Kou. “This park expansion provides more options for the community to safely connect and offers children a place to play and explore within a natural setting."
While the park will maintain its current amenities—including its basketball court, playground, tot playground, picnic area and open grass area—the 0.8-acre expansion will add a new playground area with a tot lot, climbing dome, slide and climbing structure, walking paths, bocce court, shaded picnic area, dog park, grassy meadow, bio-filtration planter and more. The new park project, built with sustainability in mind, will be 2.4 acres when completed. The park will be closed for safety during the project duration.
The original Boulware Park renovation was planned to start in 2017, but in 2018 the City was able to purchase adjacent land from AT&T to expand the park. The idea of the purchase was first brought to the City’s attention by a neighbor in the area. The design, made with extensive community input since 2019, is being brought to life by contractor OBS Engineering Inc. The project budget is $4.2 million, of which $219K was secured from State Prop. 68 grant funding.
To further the City’s sustainability goals, the park will feature a variety of environmentally friendly features, such as:
- All water will be captured on site and filtered.
- Native trees and shrubs are used through the park.
- The open turf area will be composed of a drought tolerant native grass mix, which will reduce both water and mowing needs.
- Matadero Creek is highlighted in the park design and the park has been designed for possible future naturalization of the creek.
- The park will save thousands of gallons of water a year through reduced irrigation needs.
These improvements will enhance the City’s existing community services, including three community centers, more than 4,000 acres of open space and urban parkland including 43 miles of trails, two nature interpretive centers, four community gardens, four dog parks, dozens of sports fields, 36 parks, and 39 playgrounds. The City also offers the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, a golf course, and the Palo Alto Art Center.
Originally named South Palo Alto Neighborhood Park, Boulware Park was renamed after John Wesley Boulware, who arrived in Palo Alto in October 1852 at the age of 22 by Ox team from Kentucky. Boulware farmed a ranch of 160 acres in which Boulware Park was part. Palo Alto’s innovation was alive and well back then too, as Boulware invented a ventilated fruit storage box. Boulware was a Santa Clara County Supervisor and was on the local school district board. Boulware Park land was acquired by the City in 1965.
For more about the City of Palo Alto, go to www.cityofpaloalto.org
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Sent By:
Meghan Horrigan-Taylor
Chief Communications Officer
City Manager's Office
Office Phone: (650) 329-2607
Email: Meghan.Horrigan-Taylor@CityofPaloAlto.org